Parts of Russia’s Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula are struggling under extreme, record-breaking snowfall, with powerful winter storms dumping several metres of snow and bringing daily life almost to a standstill.
Videos circulating online show relentless snowfall lasting for four consecutive days, blanketing homes, roads and public buildings. Meteorologists say the amount of snow recorded since early January is the highest in more than 50 years. According to The Moscow Times, average snow depth in some cities has reached around 170 cm, with drifts exceeding 2.5 metres in several neighbourhoods. In some parts of Kamchatka, snowbanks have reportedly risen as high as five metres (about 16 feet).
The severity of the situation prompted city authorities to declare a state of emergency after at least two elderly men were killed by falling snow from rooftops last week, The Moscow Times reported.
Officials have warned that heavy snow accumulation and large icicles on rooftops continue to pose serious dangers. The prolonged snowfall has also heightened the risk of avalanches in and around residential areas.
Reuters reported that Kamchatka is experiencing its heaviest snowfall in nearly 60 years, severely disrupting transport and forcing residents to adjust to extraordinary conditions. With roads blocked and mobility restricted, life in the region remains heavily disrupted as authorities race to clear snow and restore normalcy.
